South Fork Alder Ass Race

Please join us for the 5th annual South Fork Alder Ass Race on Saturday, September 5, 2026!

IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION:  Please do not register for this race until you have been matched with a donkey teammate!  This does not apply to Ghost Runners.  Race registration is separate from donkey rental arrangements.  

A brief history of the donkeys that now run Pack Burro Races

Donkeys first arrived on U.S. soil in 1784 as a royal gift from King Charles III of Spain to George Washington.  By the 1800s, they were instrumental in building the American West, especially during the Gold Rush.  When mining declined, many of these hardy animals were left behind.

Burros adapted and survived in some of the most rugged terrain in the West.  Today, while wild burros face challenges similar to wild horses, many are rounded up, gentled, and trained.  Pack Burro Racing has become not only a historic sport, but also a productive outlet for rehabilitating formerly wild burros.

“Burro” is the Spanish word for small donkey.  In Pack Burro Racing, donkeys of all sizes- mini to mammoth compete and are commonly referred to as burros.  Only a donkey/burro may compete in Pack Burro Races as we do nothing half-assed.

RULES:

Pack Saddle & Required Gear

Each burro must carry a pack saddle with traditional prospector's paraphernalia:

Gold Pan
Pick
Shovel

There is no minimum weight requirement.  Missing gear at any point on the course results in disqualification (DQ). 

Lead Rope Requirements

Must be attached to a halter
Single lead rope only
Maximum length: 15 feet (end of rope to tip of snap)
Rope must connect only to the halter
Flat-nosed halters are preferred for safety.

Control of Burro

The runner must maintain control at all times.
No cutting switchbacks.
Teams may pass safely along course edges.
Dropped lead rope = return to the point where it was dropped to avoid DQ.
If interference occurs, officials may issue a warning or DQ.

Jack/Stud Chains 

Permitted only with proper pressure-release technique.
Any burro finishing with visible injury from a chain may result in disqualification.

Team = 1 Runner + 1 Burro

Teams must start and finish together.
No swapping burros.  "You gotta dance with the one that brung ya." ~Curtis Imrie
No outside assistance from spectators or anyone outside of the race.
The burro’s nose crossing the finish line determines placement.
The runner may push, pull, use pressure release technique, or carry their burro across the fine line, but no riding allowed.

In the event of a tie, the prize money involved, if any, will be equally divided between the teams involved.  However, this is ultimately up to the race director’s discretion. 

Veterinary Checks 

Burro owners may consider getting a veterinary check on their burro before every race.

Sick or injured burros should not race.
Out-of-state burros must have: Negative Coggins & Certificate of Veterinary Inspection 

Disqualifications 

Any runner mistreating their burro will be disqualified. 

NO clubs 
NO drugging 
NO electric prods
NO needles
NO whips

Should a runner be disqualified by a race official, he/she may continue the race and appeal his/her grievance to the race director. The decisions of the race director will be final.

No Firearms 

Firearms are not permitted during the race.

Participant Waivers/Release of Liability

No town, county, or private property owners along the course, sponsoring businesses, governmental agencies, persons, volunteers, race officials, or organizations will be liable in case of accident or injury to the runner or burro. Each runner must sign a waiver and/or release of responsibility before the race.

Colorado Equine Act

Under Colorado law, an equine professional is not liable for injury or death resulting from inherent risks of equine activities (C.R.S. 13-21-119).

Rules revised Feb 2023 

Colorado: 

Clear Creek County Pack Burro Race Series (Georgetown and Idaho Springs)

Creede Donkey Dash

Buena Vista Pack Burro Race 

South Fork Alder Ass Race

Victor’s Gold Rush Challenge Pack Burro Race 

Frederick Miners Day Pack Burro Race 

Rollinsville Pack Burro Race

Tombstone, AZ- Desert Donkey Dash 

Inyokern, CA- Run with the Burros 

Topsfield, MA- Run with the Burros  

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Additional Information ~ (for the new-to-pack burro racing runners)

Supply Suggestions: 

Comfortable running clothes

Trail shoes with good tread 

Gloves (sports type full or fingerless weight lifting style, to prevent rope burn from lead rope)

It is strongly recommended that all runners or burros carry the following, for the runner:

At least one quart of water

Food (energy bar or snacks)

A few other optional items you may want to have with you on your journey:

Gallon baggies to keep your phone or items clean and dry in the saddle bags

Rain jacket or windbreaker

Sunscreen

Hat

Sunglasses

Lip balm

Gaiters (over shoes to keep the rocks out)

Tweezer/comb (to remove cactus, etc)

Hoof pick (in case the burro gets a rock in their hoof)

Burro treats are best saved for after the race, as allowing a burro to eat during a race can slow them down. Do not let children feed burros out of their hands to prevent a finger from being mistaken as a treat! Do not feed anyone else’s burro unless you have permission from the owner.

Handling Suggestions:

For runners renting burros, you should be getting all your racing lessons through that operation, but for those who are new to Pack Burro Racing with your own new burro, here are some handling suggestions you may want to know, so your first race is successful and safe:

Study the course maps before any race.

Know that the super fast, super competitive athletes start on and near the starting line. The average paced runners will start in the middle of the starting line area (between the front and the back) and slower runners or those needing to start out slowly to have better control over their burros start near the back of the pack. If it is your burro’s first-time racing and they have never experienced a group training run with multiple burros, it is highly advisable to start in the back, as burros can get excited about running in a herd.  They will surprise you with how excited and fast they will get for the first time until they get used to the pace of racing.

Since burros are right-brain thinkers, most runners start and race on the left side of the burro. 

It is advised to hold the halter down low next to  the nose to keep your burro under control at the start of the race (especially when the blank gun goes off).  This will not only prevent your burro from getting away from you too fast, but control them from kicking others in tight quarters as the field takes off and spreads out. 

We know that burros do not always run in a straight line and can often zig-zag on a wider road or jeep trail, or cut-off other teams, as it is not polite that a runner extends their lead rope across the trail blocking other teams from passing.

If your burro becomes too hard to handle and you are close to the nose, you can grab the halter low at the nose and turn the burro toward you to the left in a circle until they calm down. To control the nose is to control the burro.

If you lose your burro, please yell out to others ahead, “LOOSE BURRO!” for safety reasons, as an uncontrolled burro can startle other teams. If someone else’s burro ends up loose, but you can keep control of your burro, it is a courtesy to catch that loose burro and tie it to a tree (or stationary object like a road sign) rather than have that burro and its lead rope interfere with your race. It is about safety for the burro and others.

If your burro stalls out, instead of pulling with constant pressure, consider the pressure-release technique, while you are looking forward to where you want the burro to go. As a face-to-face stand-off playing tug-of-war will not get you moving in the right direction. Jiggling the lead rope and saying “hup-hup” from behind works at times.

Also, if you are a vocal runner or need to say “hee-yaw, hup-hup,” or something like it to keep your burro motivated, just know being too vocal will not only desensitize your burro and become too much pressure sending your burro off course, but it could also annoy the other burros and runners around you. So, when your burro is running well and moving forward, quiet your voice and hold the lead rope steady (which is a nice release of pressure for the burro), and the occasional “good boy or good girl” in a positive tone is nice, too.

When holding your lead rope, make sure it is not wound tight around your hand. You could use big loose loops that do not drag the ground so you or the burro do not trip or get a leg entangled. We do not advise anyone to tie or knot the lead rope around their body.  Runners may hold the lead rope around them in a way that if they trip & fall the lead rope will not be attached, as we do not want runners to get drug. Some burro owners do wear belt-in systems that they have trained with that feature a quick-release button. If the entire system does not exceed 15 feet and the runner has signed a waiver, they do this at their own risk.

On an out-and-back course, give the leaders who will be racing fast the right of way, but hang onto your burro’s halter at the nose, so they do not turn to follow the leaders.

It is best to drive burros uphill with the runner behind, instead of dragging burros uphill if possible. For the first-time racer, it is best to be in front of your burro on the downhill, holding your arms out to not let them pass you, as burros can pick up speed and you do not want to trip or lose your burro. 

Be mindful of your saddle getting loose and potentially sliding to the side before it goes completely underneath, as the burro can lose belly size from gas or pooping on the course. You might have to step off the course to adjust the saddle. If your saddle pad has a tendency to slip or shift while racing, you may consider tying or attaching the pad to the saddle if you do not have stay on pads. It is ok for participants to help other participants with each other’s saddles if they choose. If the courtesy of a spectator is all you have for safety reasons, they may help hold your burro if you are readjusting your saddle, as long as they do not assist the team with forward progress.

Once the race is over, please do not backtrack on the course, so you do not interfere with others who may be racing in.

If you do not take your burro back to their trailer right away, please do not leave it unattended in town.

If it’s your first pack burro race, and you have questions, reach out to the race directors for additional information if you would like.

If you DNF = “Did Not Finish,” and do not cross the finish line, please make sure you inform the race officials of your status (before leaving town), so you are accounted for.

We look forward to seeing everyone and having a fun and safe pack burro racing season for all involved!!!

Course

There are 2 distances.

The "mini" course is 3 miles.   
Pack gear optional  
Mostly pavement, small portion on forest service road
Out-and-back
Elevation gain: 75 ft
Max elevation: 8,250 ft

The "standard" course is 11 miles. 

Pack saddle & mining gear required
Boots or alternative hoof protection recommended 
Some pavement, primarily forest service roads, possible water crossing
Out-and-back
Elevation gain: 1,100 ft
Max elevation: 9,350 ft

Aid Stations

Mile 1.5
Mile 5.5

Awards

Trophies for top three female and male finishers in the 3 mile.  

Prize money will be awarded to top ten female and male finishers in the 11 mile course.  

1st- $500

2nd- $250

3rd- $125

4th- $75

5th- $50

6th- $50

7th- $50

8th- $25

9th- $25

10th- $25

WITHDRAWAL POLICY
ALL ENTRIES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE.

Camping

Free camping at the start/finish.  Stay and play in South Fork by the Rio Grande River at Brown Memorial Park.

86 Co Rd 15
South Fork, CO

BYOP (Bring Your Own Panels)
Water available
Portable restrooms on site

BIG Ass Pre-Race Party
Friday, September 4 5:00-7:00 PM
Food, music, and burros! Celebrate the start of race weekend with food by Gone Rogue, music by Leaky Nozzle Productions, BURROS, and official race packet pickup.  Don't miss the fun!

Photo Credit:  Ashlee Bratton with Ashography http://ashography.com              

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service

This special event is held under permit from the U.S. Forest Service- Divide Ranger District.